Brazilian Rainbow Boa

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Description

The most handsome snake in the world

- Can survive for 20 years

- Proper humidity should be maintained

- Excessive handling should be avoided

Brazilian Rainbow Boas can be found in the forests of Brazil. They are attractive and are the most gorgeous snake in the world. In the background of red to maroon color, black- bordered orange crescents are seen on their body. The microscopic ridges present on their scales act like prisms and they show a spectacular iridescence when viewed in light.

Brazilian Rainbow Boas sleep during the day and are active at night. They can grow up to a length of 4 - 7 feet. Babies of rainbow boas can be kept in a 10 – 20 gallon terrarium. Adult needs a lot of space to wander. An adult require a minimum space of 4 – 6 square feet of floor space. Generally they don’t prefer glass aquarium. With the exception of breeding attempts, they should be housed individually.

The aquarium of Brazilian Rainbow Boas should be maintained between 85°F – 90°F during the day time and at night between 75°F - 80°F. Cooler night temperatures can be tolerated by the adults; but the babies should be kept warm at all the time. In addition to the heat pads, basking bulbs, ceramic heat emitters or red bulbs are used to maintain the proper temperature. They don’t need any lighting arrangement. However a full spectrum fluorescent bulb can be used throughout the day to view the iridescence showed by the boas. A red light can be used at night time.

The substrate used for Brazilian Rainbow Boas should be selected such that it retains moisture and humidity of the tank. Orchid bark, pulverized coconut husk, or cypress mulch can be used. The substrate should be misted daily. Half- logs, pieces of cork bark or pieces of grape wood can be placed inside the cage which gives the opportunity for the boas to climb.

A humidity of 75 – 80% is perfect for the Brazilian Rainbow Boas. Otherwise they will dehydrate quickly. The cages should be misted numerous times a day. On both the warmer and cooler ends of the cave, water bowls which are bulky for the boas to submerge in are placed. Avoid using screen top cages since it will result in evaporation. Due to high humidity of the cage, mold growth may occur. So the cage should be kept clean. The substrate should be changed weekly or whenever soiled.

A bowl containing fresh, clean, drinking water should be placed inside the cage. Since the Brazilian Rainbow Boas can drink any water, water in the soaking bowls should also be kept clean and changed twice a week. In captivity Brazilian Rainbow Boas eat mice and rats. The dimension of the prey should be lesser than the widest portion of the snake. Freshly killed prey items should be given to them to avoid injury. Juveniles are fed once in every 7 - 10 days but the adults can be fed once in every 10 – 14 days.

Because of their natural beauty, Brazilian Rainbow Boas can be set aside as display animals. Excessive handling of them is stressful for them. Children should not be allowed to handle them. They should be handled by a calm individual.